The Midway Middle School Builders Club, an affiliate of the Kiwanis Club of Liberty County, held its seventh annual trick-or-treating for canned goods event Oct. 24-31 at the school. The students collected 1,455 items to be donated to the Manna House in conjunction with Georgia Power's canned food drive.

After testimony and presentation of evidence in a fair-dismissal hearing that spanned eight hours, the Liberty County Board of Education unanimously voted Monday to uphold Superintendent Dr. Judy Scherer's recommendation to terminate a teacher's contract.

Walker Middle School FBLA partnered with Nike to coordinate a shoe drive in September. For the project, known as Nike Reuse a Shoe, Walker Middle School collected used or worn-out shoes that were ready to be thrown away.

Former State Rep. Hinson Mosley of the 171st District recently spoke to several classes at Long County High School, including Christi Cruz's government students. Cruz formerly served as a page for the congressman.

Long County 4-H'ers kicked off National 4-H Week by spending the first day, Oct. 2, at Tractor Supply in Jesup with one last push for the national paper clover campaign. Members of 4-H shared exhibits, provided educational information on healthy lifestyles and assisted with the sale of more $70 of clovers. Employees were treated to hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks and cupcakes.

Liberty Elementary School teachers Marsha Simmons and Lela Dickens recently encouraged fellow teachers and staff members to join forces and raise more than $2,500 for the United Way and win the 100 percent participation School Spirit Award. Principal Chris Anderson asked volunteers to support the cause, and every teacher employed at Liberty Elementary School participated in the fundraising effort.

ATLANTA - Georgia fourth- and eighth-graders are performing only slightly better than they did two years ago on national reading and math exams, and most of the students tested continue to lag behind the national average in both subjects.